Day 55: Just did my bare minimum 1.05! We got home at 3:30 am from the concert last night, so I only had 4 hours of sleep before I had to teach my spin class this morning. I have a half marathon tomorrow...I plan on taking a nice easy day today!

Day 55: Just did my bare minimum 1.05! We got home at 3:30 am from the concert last night, so I only had 4 hours of sleep before I had to teach my spin class this morning. I have a half marathon tomorrow...I plan on taking a nice easy day today!

Here's the update. My friend has been released from the hospital. She has a broken rib and some muscle bruising only. The doctors told her that she can start running in a week if she feels up to it. She is a very lucky person, and plans to take it easy for the next couple of days.

Day #53: 1.61 miles @16:41 this afternoon just before a severe thunderstorm.

Megan: I'm so relieved to hear that your friend will be okay. Hopefully, she is not in too much pain and it can be relieved with Advil or Tylenol. I will be praying for her and also for the 10 year-old that hit her.

Day 55: Just did my bare minimum 1.05! We got home at 3:30 am from the concert last night, so I only had 4 hours of sleep before I had to teach my spin class this morning. I have a half marathon tomorrow...I plan on taking a nice easy day today!

No more coffee guilt—caffeine boosts leg and brain power.

Run Longer, Think FasterIn a study done last year, researchers gave cyclists an energy bar with or without caffeine (equal to one cup of coffee) before and during a long, hard ride. They found that cyclists who have caffeine ride farther and think faster on cognitive tests than the no-caffeine group—useful news to runners in endurance events and adventure races, where quick decision-making is key.

Increase Sprint SpeedConsider drinking a cup of coffee before your next speed workout: Australian scientists gave fit athletes a 300-milligram dose of caffeine one hour before running five sets of 6 x 20-meter sprints. They found that runners who have caffeine sprint faster than those who don't have caffeine. Researchers think the stimulant enhances reaction time and running speed.

Recover More QuicklyRunners know they need carbs postrun to rebuild their glycogen stores, but a recent study suggests caffeine may also enhance recovery. Cyclists rode hard for two consecutive days to drain their glycogen stores. They then drank a carb beverage with or without caffeine. Researchers found that having a drink with caffeine rebuilds glycogen stores 66 percent more than a carb-only drink.

Hydrate SmartMany people have heard caffeine causes dehydration. Most studies, though, show you can have up to 550 milligrams of caffeine (or about five cups of coffee) without affecting hydration levels. That means you can have quite a few caff einated sports drinks and gels while running without risking dehydration; more than 550 milligrams will have a diuretic effect.

Keep Bones HealthyA few studies have shown a link between bone-mineral loss and caffeine—but a close look at the data reveals that caffeine itself doesn't cause the mineral loss. Many coffee lovers may drink it in place of beverages rich in calcium (such as milk), and as a result, decrease their intake of this bone-strengthening mineral.

Mocha-Madness Recovery Shake

The combination of carbs, protein, and caffeine (about 100 milligrams) in this shake will help boost muscle recovery after a hard run.

Day #54: On the advice of a friend, I went out and bought a bike today. It's really cool, just a beach bike with 3 speeds. The plan is to bike and run so that I warm up my joints before I run and that will help with the shin splints and my distance will increase so that I can even think about running a marathon.

So I did 3 miles on the bike and ran 2.55 miles at a sustained 9:17 pace. Very happy. Oh, and a plus for me, I rode the last 1.5 and ran in the lovely summer rain! So happy. Still loving the streak even though it's a slow process.

Hope that mortal ran a good race today. Praying for all of you to keep going and enjoy the run.

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

"Anyone can run a hundred meters, it's the next forty-two thousand and two hundred that count."

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

Nicely done! You are well on your way to achieving your amazing goal. Running in 60 degrees...priceless!

Here's the update. My friend has been released from the hospital. She has a broken rib and some muscle bruising only. The doctors told her that she can start running in a week if she feels up to it. She is a very lucky person, and plans to take it easy for the next couple of days.

So sorry to hear about your friend. Hope she is feeling much much better soon!

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

Great job! Congrats! I am envious of your temps in the 60's!!! What half is next for you? Keep up the good work!

Day #54: On the advice of a friend, I went out and bought a bike today. It's really cool, just a beach bike with 3 speeds. The plan is to bike and run so that I warm up my joints before I run and that will help with the shin splints and my distance will increase so that I can even think about running a marathon.

So I did 3 miles on the bike and ran 2.55 miles at a sustained 9:17 pace. Very happy. Oh, and a plus for me, I rode the last 1.5 and ran in the lovely summer rain! So happy. Still loving the streak even though it's a slow process.

Hope that mortal ran a good race today. Praying for all of you to keep going and enjoy the run.

Made it 3 miles Saturday, the day after my tooth extraction, and then 10 miles yesterday and 2-1/2 this morning (Day 57). I am SO HUNGRY.....soft foods do not hit the spot! I am able to chew a bit better today!

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

Great job! Congrats! I am envious of your temps in the 60's!!! What half is next for you? Keep up the good work!

Kendra

Thank you! I do not at all take the weather here for granted!

My next one (#10) will be August 3rd in Tacoma, Washington, #11 will be The Huckleberry Half in the foothills of Mt. Hood (Oregon) on August 10th, #12 will be the Oregon Wine Country Half on September 1st, and if all things go as planned, #13 will be the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Half in November!

"Anyone can run a hundred meters, it's the next forty-two thousand and two hundred that count."

22 July 2013: 3.05 miles at the Metropark. Last tempo run for a while - I am just so crushed by this. It's the slow down week prior to the 5k on Saturday. Thankfully it falls in line with my down week for marathon training as well. I'm not great at tapering, but I will try again this time!

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

Great job! Congrats! I am envious of your temps in the 60's!!! What half is next for you? Keep up the good work!

Kendra

Thank you! I do not at all take the weather here for granted!

My next one (#10) will be August 3rd in Tacoma, Washington, #11 will be The Huckleberry Half in the foothills of Mt. Hood (Oregon) on August 10th, #12 will be the Oregon Wine Country Half on September 1st, and if all things go as planned, #13 will be the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Half in November!

My goal is 13 13's in '13! I ran along side a woman who had a sign on her back with the same goal...this was #8 for her today! It was a challenging course, but I was very happy with my time, and the weather was near perfect for a July run...mid 60's at the start, cloudy, and an occasional very light mist!

Thank you all for your well wishes...I felt 'em all!

Keep it up, Streakers!!

Great job! Congrats! I am envious of your temps in the 60's!!! What half is next for you? Keep up the good work!

Kendra

Thank you! I do not at all take the weather here for granted!

My next one (#10) will be August 3rd in Tacoma, Washington, #11 will be The Huckleberry Half in the foothills of Mt. Hood (Oregon) on August 10th, #12 will be the Oregon Wine Country Half on September 1st, and if all things go as planned, #13 will be the Las Vegas Rock 'n Roll Half in November!